Dartmouth guarantees that you will receive all of the assistance you are determined to need.

What is Need?

Cost of Education − Family Contribution = "Need"

Cost of Education includes direct and indirect expenses. Direct expenses are tuition, fees, food, and housing. Indirect expenses are travel costs, books, supplies, laundry, etc. Although students do not receive a bill from Student Financial Services for these expenses, we do consider an average amount per student when determining aid eligibility.

Family Contribution consists of a parent and student contribution. Students who receive assistance are expected to contribute a minimum amount annually, which should come from leave term earnings. Student contributions range from $1,000 to 3,000 per year.

Dartmouth meets this "Need" with a combination of work and scholarships, and, for some students, low interest loans will be included.

Each university calculates a total amount of financial aid available to you for their school. Based on their costs and the information you provide, financial aid officers calculate your need and the amount you are eligible to receive. You will then be given a list of available assistance known as your "Financial Aid Award." Your award can include low-interest loans, federal funds, and sources within the college.

Families with Income below $100,000

At Dartmouth, free tuition is provided for students from families with total incomes of $100,000 or less—and possessing typical assets. Loans are not required in their financial aid offer. Students and parents may decide to take additional loan to help with the calculated family contribution or additional expenses such as health insurance or a computer.

Families with Income above $100,000

There is no income cut off for scholarship consideration at Dartmouth. We take an individual look at all applications, and families earning over $100,000 per year do receive scholarship assistance. Low interest loans are offered to students in this income category. Dartmouth is committed to reducing student debt; however, the total debt our students have at graduation is among the lowest in the country.